[{"bbox": [145, 145, 1081, 552], "category": "Table", "text": "<table><tr><td>Planning processes and systems</td><td>Weak project management of ESCOM delays implementation.</td><td>Medium</td><td>Medium</td><td>Strengthen capacity of ESCOM through the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), in particular the monitoring and reporting capacities to facilitate early detection of implementation issues.</td></tr><tr><td>Planning processes and systems</td><td>Inadequate attention to planning the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) leads to delays.</td><td>Medium</td><td>Medium</td><td>At the implementation level, the project intervention logic will include outputs related to project preparatory activities such as the RAP design and implementation.</td></tr></table>"}, {"bbox": [157, 553, 317, 576], "category": "Section-header", "text": "**Lessons Learnt:**"}, {"bbox": [157, 578, 1074, 788], "category": "Text", "text": "Implementation of infrastructure projects under a blending operation and in indirect management has shown weaknesses in project management capabilities resulting in slow procurement and delayed implementation. Limited human resources are often stretched and bureaucracy slows approval processes. A recent ROM on the Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector noted weaknesses in ESCOM's monitoring and reporting capacities. It also highlighted implementation delays due to inadequate attention to planning the implementation of the RAP. A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU), supported by a capacity building consultancy, will help improve the efficiency of project execution."}, {"bbox": [145, 837, 459, 869], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5 The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [145, 882, 1081, 939], "category": "Text", "text": "The Overall Objective of this action is to accelerate Malawi's transition towards an effective climate resilient energy sector."}, {"bbox": [145, 956, 1081, 1042], "category": "Text", "text": "It addresses the priority objectives of the Malawi 2063 by investing in key economic infrastructure through new transmission lines and substations. The underlying intervention logic for this action is the following:"}, {"bbox": [145, 1059, 1081, 1256], "category": "Text", "text": "With upgraded transmission lines it will be possible to serve the northern region with a more reliable and secure electricity supply that is energy efficient and facilitates new renewable energy investments. The construction of new substations and expansion of existing substations will greatly improve the capacity of the grid system enabling additional connections and meeting the current unserved industrial demand. Achieving these outputs, and with available concessional finance from development banks, will lead to the positive outcome of improved electricity quality of service linked to strong climate and aid to environment dimensions."}, {"bbox": [145, 1276, 1081, 1447], "category": "Text", "text": "By building the technical and development capacities of ESCOM, they will have the acquired knowledge to develop new projects and expand the grid network further. Building their operation and maintenance capacities will ensure that they can maintain a high level of service on the transmission grid. Achieving these outputs, and with ESCOM's commitment to improve internal project development capacity and operational performance, will lead to the positive outcome of strengthened technical and operational capacity of ESCOM."}, {"bbox": [145, 1464, 1081, 1577], "category": "Text", "text": "Achieving SO1 assumes that expansion of the renewable energy generation capacity takes place, while achieving SO2 assumes that the Government of Malawi continues to support reforms in the energy sector. ESCOM recognises that they have an important role to play within the SAPP and this is all the more important as they will soon be interconnected with Mozambique."}, {"bbox": [965, 1681, 1081, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 10 of 19"}]